Thirteen

W hen taking Jaxson up on his offer to drive her to Memphis, having sex hadn’t been on her mind. However, the combination of emotions from Hank’s nonadmission to lying, to her conflicted feelings, to Jaxson’s actions all along, culminating in that hallway kiss, obliterated all her defenses. The night spent making love with Jaxson was a game changer.

Somewhere in the back of her mind, Genesis had always known it would happen. She’d felt the decision would impact her beyond the bedroom. Maybe that was why she’d fought so hard against the attraction, against the pull she’d felt ten years ago, and the energy flowing between them now. After ten years of waiting, their reunion was magical. His whole body was a weapon, but he’d made her moist using just his lips, then followed that opening act with equally talented body parts. His tongue was a precision missile. His hands should be registered as lethal weapons. His thick, ample dick could be enshrined.

As good as the multiple orgasms he produced were, it wasn’t just the sex. It was everything about him. Their easy conversation. The way he made her feel protected and safe. His work ethic and respect for elders. His down-home sensibility and country charm. Jaxson was a very likable guy. She’d allowed, sometimes forced, herself to be too angry to see it. Though her thoughts about Jaxson still clashed, she didn’t even try to convince herself that what she felt was simple lust. There was nothing simple about her connection with him. When they came together, it wasn’t just fucking. No, Jaxson made slow, passionate love to her. And did it oh so well.

After that first round satisfied their sexual appetites, Genesis and Jaxson were ravenous. They’d heated up the tacos and a bag of fried rice from Genesis’s freezer. She drank a glass of wine; Jaxson downed a beer. They talked about everything and nothing. The companionable silences were languages of their own. He’d spent the night. The next morning, Genesis decided to stay in Memphis. It was the first of the month. There was business to take care of, time-sensitive decisions to make. One thing Cyrus’s death had taught her was the value of life and how to not take it for granted. You could be here one day and gone the next. Jaxson had taught her a few things, too. One particular statement he’d made the night before struck a chord:

In life you can choose to be a participant or a spectator. The latter tend to go with the flow and react to whatever happens. Participants are creators who shape their own destiny or give it a damn good try.

Without him knowing he’d done it—and without her knowing she needed it—Jaxson had diagnosed her whole life. Not challenging her mother’s distant personality. Taking a back seat to Lori’s second marriage, and the sons it produced. Settling for jobs instead of building a career. Not standing up for herself in relationships. Dating someone she’d known for years because it was convenient. Living someone else’s dream instead of her own. Basically, Genesis had fallen into the all-too-common trap of being okay with an okay life.

After a long, hot shower, then enjoying some of the food Jaxson had thoughtfully dropped off before leaving Memphis, Genesis got down to the business of figuring out her life. The first thing she focused on were her finances. Numbers had never been her strong suit. Math. Finance. Budgeting. None of that. After making poor choices in the early post–high school years, she’d worked hard to live within her means, pay her bills on time and raise her credit score. However, one look at her bank balance online and it didn’t take a Wharton grad to know drastic changes had to be made ASAP.

She looked around her rented condo. She’d always liked the modern features and minimalist vibe, but after time in her uncle’s ranch house, it somehow felt cold and oddly impersonal, even with pictures of friends and family and art she loved on the walls. She got up. Walked around. Standing in her stainless steel kitchen, she thought of the one at Cyrus’s house almost fondly—with its cracked, faded linoleum, stained wood cabinets, and appliances that had seen better days about twenty years ago. She stepped out on the balcony.

The contrast to life in the country was stark. Had the buildings always been this close? The noise so loud? In the space of a few seconds a horn honked, music blared from a passing car and a siren sounded in the distance. Hard to believe that not even a month ago, this was her normal. Her first weekend on the farm, she’d missed the hustle and bustle. Until Cyrus had done the unthinkable and made her his heir, she couldn’t imagine living anywhere but the city. Couldn’t believe what she considered now. Tried to argue with the logical suggestions sounding off in her mind. What she didn’t do was try to dismiss how in a very short time the country had changed her. She now missed the fresh air and wide-open spaces. The black night, bright stars and an insect chorus. She missed her DDI neighbors Hazel and Granville. And yes, she missed Jaxson. The woman who’d left the condo for a visit with Cyrus’s attorney was not the same one in Memphis making decisions right now.

Genesis walked back into the condo and fired up her tablet. She opened the Notes app. For several seconds, her fingers hovered over the keyboard. Then she began typing.

Creating My Life To-Do List:

1. Send 30-day notice to vacate condo.

Just typing those words took her breath. Questions ping-ponged back and forth. What the heck am I doing? Do I really want to leave the convenience of the city? Memphis was where she’d been born and raised. Where she’d grown into adulthood. Where most of her friends and family lived. How could living by myself in the country ever work? Am I moving there because of Jaxson? What if...whatever this is isn’t really anything and doesn’t work out?

She deleted point one. Went back online and rechecked her balances against incoming expenses, then mentally assessed the big picture. It might be another week before she could drive. Rent was due now, utilities in a few weeks. If she worked seven days a week and used the rest of her savings, she’d only be good for the next couple of months before living paycheck to paycheck. On the other hand, if she moved to the farm, there would be no rent, only utilities. She probably wouldn’t make enough money DoorDashing out there, so she’d have to find another source of income. But living out there for three to six months would give her enough time to replenish her savings account and think out her next move. As fast as time was flying, she could bounce back in no time. She returned to the Notes app, typing randomly as thoughts came to mind. Her fingers flew across the keys.

Creating My Life To-Do List:

1. Send 30-day notice to vacate condo.

2. Find cheap moving company for relocation.

3. Put rest in storage.

4. Find job working from home.

5. Call cousins.

Her hands stilled for a minute before she continued.

6. Clear out Uncle Cyrus’s things.

7. Donate? Garage sale? Ebay? (Ask Hazel)

8. Put loan to Lance in writing.

9. Talk to Jax re minor renovation. Cost?

She paused again. Took a long look out the patio doors. Then wrote,

10. Talk to Jax about Hank...the TRUTH.

She read over the points. Poured herself a glass of juice. Read them again. The thought of making these major life changes was both exciting and terrifying. Going on the condo’s property management website gave her butterflies. She pushed past the fear and submitted the notice, which gave her the courage to tackle another task she found difficult: calling her cousins. She decided to try out the news with the lesser of two evils.

“Hello, Cleo? It’s Genesis.”

“Oh, hi, there. How are you doing? How’s the ankle?”

“Better, thanks for asking. How are you guys doing?”

“Oh, you know, taking it one day at a time. Are you still at Daddy’s house?”

“I’m at my condo but will return to Holy Mound in a few days. It’s why I called.” When there was no response, she took a breath and continued. In for a penny, in for a pound.

“I’ve made a decision and wanted you and Clarence to be the first to know. I’m moving into Uncle Cyrus’s house.”

The pause was so long Genesis thought he’d disconnected.

“Cleo? Are you there?”

“Genesis, I don’t think you moving out there is a good idea. This issue about the farm hasn’t been settled, at least not to our family’s satisfaction.”

Genesis’s heart sank. She became nervous but refused to be intimidated. “Did you guys read over the will?”

“We read it.”

“Have you spoken with Mr. Young, the attorney?”

“That’s what you were supposed to be doing.”

“I never said I’d speak to him. What am I supposed to say?”

“You need to contest the will on the basis of Daddy being incompetent.”

“I’ve spoken with his neighbors, people who were around him at the end of his life. I spoke to him myself by phone not long before he died. All of us agree he sounded normal, like his usual self.”

She thought about bringing up what Jaxson had told Clarence. Something stopped her.

“We’ve got people looking into the matter,” Cleo said. “You need to hold off on making any changes until this thing is made right.”

“With all due respect, cousin, I didn’t call to get your permission. I’m being respectful by letting you know of a decision that’s already been made, and to offer a chance for you and Clarence to go through Uncle Cyrus’s belongings for anything you’d like to keep.”

“You’re making me an offer about my daddy’s things? You sound crazy.”

“I hope that one day we can have a more civil conversation, but on that note, Cleo, I’m going to let you go. Have a good evening.”

Before Cleo’s comments could make her second-guess her choices, she made another call.

“Gen!”

One word, and her world righted. “Hey, Jax.”

“I can call you Gen, right? I’m now in the friend zone?”

“More like the lover zone, so watch yourself.”

“At least you didn’t say booty-call zone.”

“Ha! I’m glad I called. I needed this energy.”

“Why? What happened?”

“I just got off the phone with Cleo.” She gave him a brief rundown of their conversation and what led to it. “Does my decision sound irresponsible or, worse, crazy, as Cleo said?”

“I think your decision is perfect, but I might be a little biased. When is this move happening?”

“By the end of the month.”

“Then the only other thing I need to know is how I can help.”

Over the next two weeks, Genesis worked on the list. Rather than get a truck and move all of her stuff to the country, she rented a month-to-month storage for everything she didn’t currently need. She went online, found a simple promissory note template and sent it to Lance. He balked at first, but eventually sent back a signed copy. Best of all, she secured a work-from-home job in customer service. It wasn’t ideal and the pay was crap, but it was steady income and mindless work. Just what the doctor ordered.

Speaking of doctors, she visited one in Memphis who assessed her ankle and delivered good news. Hers had been between a one-and two-grade sprain. X-rays showed the ligaments healing nicely. With no further complications she could ease off the crutches and remove the boot in two weeks. He advised that she still take it easy but cleared her to drive. Genesis began her transition from city life. Gave some of her stuff away to friends. Rented a small U-Haul for the rest. A week before Memorial Day weekend, Habari and a couple of his friends helped move her heavier items to storage. Then he stayed behind to help her pack what she’d take to Holy Mound.

As she drove into the driveway of Cyrus’s house, a welcoming sight was there to greet her—Nipsey, Jaxson and his dog, Butch. The emotion she felt surprised her. They hadn’t been apart long and had spoken regularly by phone, but she’d missed him being physically around. She’d barely put the truck in Park before he was there ready to open her door.

“Hey, pretty lady.”

“Hey, you.”

Genesis moved in for a passion-filled kiss. Jaxson stopped her with a brief, friend-like hug.

“These trees can talk,” he said, stepping away. Hooded eyes filled with desire stared into hers. “Looks like you missed me as much as I did you.”

“Probably.”

“Want to do something about it?”

“I’d love to but I’m renting this truck by the hour and what I’d like even more is to not keep it overnight.”

Jaxson unloaded the truck in half the time it had taken both her and Habari to pack it. He followed her back to Memphis so that she could drop off the U-Haul, and on the return journey, they stopped by Papa Joes before reaching Holy Mound just as nightfall approached.

“Those security lights make a huge difference,” she said. “Uncle Cyrus’s place is growing on me, rickety steps and all.”

“Correction— your place is growing on you. Another move in the direction of what you desire is claiming out loud what belongs to you.”

She squeezed his thigh. “Thank you for that. Now, let’s go into my home.”

“Hang on. I bought you a housewarming gift.”

“Seriously, Jaxson? At the rate you’re going, I’ll be forever in your debt.”

He smirked, pecked her lips. “That’s the point.”

He reached over, opened the glove compartment and pulled out a small bag.

“What is it?”

“Nothing that’ll bite you. Check it out.”

She pulled out a magnet, shaped like a house. “‘Like a Good Neighbor,’” she read, smiling, “‘Stay Over There.’ Ha! Whoever made this is a person after my own heart.”

“I thought you’d appreciate it. Bought it a while ago. Forgot to give it to you.”

They went inside. Genesis walked directly into the kitchen and proudly placed the magnet in the middle of the otherwise bare refrigerator door.

“Can I get you something to drink?”

“No.” He picked her up, squeezed her ass and backed them against the kitchen wall.

“What are you doing?”

He kissed her ear. “You’ll catch on soon enough.”

Then her nose.

“Umm...”

Then her mouth. Genesis gave in to the moment, feeling Jaxson’s hardening shaft press against her.

Without breaking the rhythm of their tongue dance, he reached beneath her top and tweaked a nipple. She moaned in his mouth. He eased along her body until a deep ebony-colored nipple and his mouth were at the same level. He sucked it in. She hissed her pleasure, squirming against him. She was wet and ready. Long strides made quick work of reaching the couch. Apparently Jaxson was ready, too.

He placed her down, knelt beside her and gently pushed the minidress she wore up around her waist. His eyes, black with lust, sent a clear message: I’m going to make love to you, and it’s going to feel real good.

Genesis lay back and spread her legs, sending a message of her own. A small patch of flimsy material was all that separated him from her shaved mound, the lips evident against the lacy triangle. She watched him kiss her shin, her thigh, the top of her heat. Her head fell back. Hips moved of their own volition. He kissed the other thigh, took his thumb and massaged her pearl. The friction from the lace and pressure of his thumb made her slick with desire. He leaned down and licked her stomach, then slid his thumb beneath the lace and down the slit of her heat. Genesis placed a hand on the back of his head, encouraging him to exchange his mouth for what his thumb was doing.

He didn’t have to be told twice.

Instead of bothering to remove her undies, he pushed the lace to the side and covered her quivering lips with his own. He French-kissed her lower lips, thrust his tongue deep. He licked. Sucked. Kissed again. Genesis’s gyrations, slow at first, became faster, more insistent. Her hips moved up and down as he made love to her with his tongue. He grabbed her ass, spread her cheeks and continued to assault her. At the height of her pleasure, she tried to pull back. He held her in a love grip, demanding she release her ecstasy and shower him with it.

“Oh. My. Gosh!”

Her hips bucked as she placed her hands behind his head and pushed him into her. The frantic bucking returned to the sensual grinding from the first time he’d licked her. The pants turned to moans, and then steady breathing. She closed her legs, opened her eyes and beckoned him closer.

“My turn,” she said, easing to a sitting position and reaching for the buckle on his belt.

“No, wait.” He sighed, heavily. “I’ve got to go.”

“You’re leaving? Why?”

“Because what’s happening right now is new, and special, and just for us. While we’re defining what this is, I think it should stay that way. Anybody sees my truck parked in your drive overnight and they won’t ask questions. They’ll draw their own conclusions. The mayors are probably up there now, taking bets on how long I’ll stay.”

She didn’t want for Jaxson to be right. But he’d spoken the truth. She was trying to eliminate drama, not create more. The last thing she needed on her first night as a Holy Mound semipermanent resident was the makings of a small-town scandal.

“Okay.” She buckled the belt and pulled down his polo shirt. He reached down and helped her up from the couch. Placing an arm around her shoulders, he walked with her to the door.

“Seems like I’m always thanking you.”

He reached the door. Kissed the top of her head. “Know that you’re always welcome.”